Kweku Awotwi steps down as Tullow CEO

The managing director of Tullow Ghana and executive vice-president of Tullow plc, Kweku Awotwi, will be retiring from the oil firm effective from 30 June.

He was the first managing director of Tullow Ghana to be promoted to executive vice-president of Tullow Oil plc.

During his tenure, the Tweneboa-Enyenra-Ntomme (TEN) fields produced their 50 millionth barrel of oil. There was good progress in the turret remediation project (TRP), which is now in its final stages, with the oil offloading system ready for installation.

Awotwi’s operations team has also delivered significant improvements in the stable production of oil and gas from Ghana’s two floating production storage and offloading units (FPSOs).

Shaped legislation

Awotwi built strong relationships with the government and was a key player in the development of the current legislative framework for the company to pursue near field exploration opportunities.

He was previously chief executive of the Volta River Authority and then chairman, but retreated from the VRA after successive governments declined to take a hard line on electricity pricing after coming into office in 2017.

Most recently, he has provided leadership to the Ghana team during a turbulent period for the company and the petroleum sector, overseeing substantial organisational changes.

In a statement released by Tullow, the executive chair of Tullow Oil plc, Dorothy Thompson, said: “Kweku has led the business through turbulent times for both the company and the sector. We all wish Kweku well in his retirement and thank him for his significant contributions to Tullow.”

New man Monthiry

Mr Awotwi commented: “I would like to thank the Tullow Ghana team for all their support and assistance since I joined the company and wish them and Tullow well for the future. I shall watch their progress with great pride and interest.”

The outgoing MD will hand over his responsibilities in the coming weeks to Wissam Al-Monthiry, who becomes managing director of Tullow Ghana, and leave the business at the end of June.

Monthiry brings to Tullow extensive experience of operations management, asset development and a track record of safe production operations. He spent 17 years with BP in various positions of upstream operations leadership and asset management around the world.

Earlier in his career, he worked for Goldman Sachs as a corporate finance analyst, focusing on the energy sector. He will spend most of his time in Ghana. Cynthia Lumor, external affairs director, will take on greater responsibility for Tullow Ghana’s key government relationships.

The new Tullow Ghana managing director commented: “I am looking forward to building on the strong foundations established by Kweku and ensuring Tullow continues to play a key role in Ghana’s oil and gas industry.”

Fred Dzakpata

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